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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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January 15, 1991 · Mooney M20K · N5809A

Fayette, MO

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 15, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Fayette, MO
Aircraft
Mooney M20K
Tail Number
N5809A
Operator
Jerry L Ellis
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI91LA071

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN DURING A BUSINESS FLIGHT. THE LOCAL SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REPORTED THERE WAS FOG AND PRECIPITATION IN THE VICINITY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORIGINATED IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND WITH AN EN ROUTE FUEL STOP IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. THE INTENDED DESTINATION WAS OLATHE, KANSAS. THE PILOT WAS RECEIVING VFR INFLIGHT ADVISORIES FROM AN ARTCC. AT ONE POINT THE PILOT ADVISED THE CENTER THAT HE WAS GOING TO RETRACE STEPS TO GET BELOW THE CLOUDS. THE AIRPLANE WAS LAST OBSERVED ON RADAR AT 2600 FEET MSL APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES EAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RECEIVED TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS FOR THE FLIGHT. RECORDS SHOW THAT THE PILOT RECEIVED 3.5 HOURS OF DUAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTION IN THE 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. THIS INCLUDED 1.5 HOURS OF BASIC INSTRUMENT TRAINING. THE PILOT BOUGHT THE AIRPLANE ONE WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITY, AND FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER.

Full Narrative

THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN DURING A BUSINESS FLIGHT. THE LOCAL SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT REPORTED THERE WAS FOG AND PRECIPITATION IN THE VICINITY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORIGINATED IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND WITH AN EN ROUTE FUEL STOP IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. THE INTENDED DESTINATION WAS OLATHE, KANSAS. THE PILOT WAS RECEIVING VFR INFLIGHT ADVISORIES FROM AN ARTCC. AT ONE POINT THE PILOT ADVISED THE CENTER THAT HE WAS GOING TO RETRACE STEPS TO GET BELOW THE CLOUDS. THE AIRPLANE WAS LAST OBSERVED ON RADAR AT 2600 FEET MSL APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES EAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RECEIVED TWO WEATHER BRIEFINGS FOR THE FLIGHT. RECORDS SHOW THAT THE PILOT RECEIVED 3.5 HOURS OF DUAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTION IN THE 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. THIS INCLUDED 1.5 HOURS OF BASIC INSTRUMENT TRAINING. THE PILOT BOUGHT THE AIRPLANE ONE WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20K
Tail NumberN5809A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJerry L Ellis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360 · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data